Taj Mahal India Travel, your guide to the ultimate monument of eternal love. Visit Taj Mahal India, and loose yourself in its magical charm. Also get to know more about the Taj Mahal History along with the never ending love story of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal.

Four kilometers from Agra is the mausoleum of Akbar known as Sikandra. Construction of this
beautiful monument was started by Akbar himself. This structure is a perfect
blend of Hindu, Christian, Islamic, Buddhist, Jain motifs. But Akbar died
before his mausoleum could be completed and his son Jehangir completed it.

Jehangir made many modifications in the original plan of the building of Sikandra. The
structure gives an excellent idea as to how the Mughal art was developing.
From the Humayun's tomb in Delhi to Akbar's Tomb in Sikandra finally to the
Taj Mahal.
Sikandra is named after Sikander Lodhi. The tomb has three-storey-minarets
on its four corners. These minarets are built in red sandstone with stunning
inlay work of marble.

And of course langur monkeys wait on the walkways to be fed. The mausoleum
is surrounded by a beautiful garden. The Baradi palace in the gardens was
built by Sikander Lodhi. On the road from Sikandra to Agra are several tombs
and two 'Kos Minars' or mile stones.

Sikandra - The Mausoleum
A broad paved causeaway leads to the tomb, which has five storeys and is in
the shape of a truncated pyramid. The main tomb has a unique square design
which is unparalleled by all other Mughal buildings.

Ground Floor
The ground floor has spacious cloisters on all the four sides except in the
middle of the southern side. The cloisters are divided by the numerous bays
by massive piers and arches. Each bay measures 22 feet square. A vestibule,
which has been ornamented very profusely with exquisite carvings, occupies
the centre of the southern side, aritstic paintings and inlay work in
geometric and floral designs.the tombstone of Akbar is placed in the middle
of this room. Akbar's daughters, Shakrul Nisha Begum and Aram Bano are also
entombed in this floor.

Second Storey The
second storey at Sikandra has an arcaded verandah on each side, which is composed of 23
bays. The use of an ornamental arch and square pillar has brought about a
unique composition.

Third And Fourth Storeys
These storeys are smaller in size than the ones below it. They have an
identical arrangement of arches supported on pillars and chhatris attached
on the exterior to each facade.

Fifth Storey
The fifth storey at Sikandra is entirely in white marble as against the lower storeys,
which are finished in red stone.